This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It is a jam-packed night in the National Hockey League on Wednesday with 13 games. With larger game slates, it is often beneficial to build a balanced lineup because there are more value options to pluck from the player pool.
Here are a number of players who'll provide a high floor for your savings.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. VAN ($34) - After a three-game rough patch, Dubnyk posted a 23-save shutout, and a quick look at the competition during the slump reveals admirable offenses (Dallas, Pittsburgh and Boston). Plus, Minnesota is 8-1 at home, averaging 3.33 goals per game while allowing just 1.89 against. The Canucks enter with a 5-4-3 road record and just two wins in their last 10 games, too.
Goalie to Avoid:
Martin Jones, SJ vs. CHI ($39) - Jones and the Sharks are rolling, as San Jose went 6-0 on a recent road trip and worked their way back into the playoff fold. There hasn't been any bite in the Shark Tank, though, and Jones owns a uninspiring .903 save percentage and a 2.65 goals-against average with just two wins through seven games. And while Chicago has struggled on the road (3-6-1), it's an admirable opponent. The price is likely too rich to take on the risk Wednesday.
CENTER
Mike Ribeiro, NSH at BUF ($14) - Expect Ribeiro to be sparsely owned Wednesday, and for good reason, as he has just three shots and no points over his past three outings. However, the matchup he draws and the cap relief he provides are worth a long look. After all, he is projected to skate between Filip Forsberg and James Neal, and Buffalo allows 2.92 goals per game in its rink.
Center to Avoid:
Tomas Plekanec, MON at NYR ($21) - With running-mate Brendan Gallagher (finger) projected to miss approximately six weeks, Plekanec loses the key cog to his right. Add the Rangers home dominance (10-1-1 record while allowing just 1.58 goals per game) and loaded player pool, and there are better profit options in Plekanec's price range Wednesday.
WING
Kevin Hayes, NYR vs. MON ($15) - With a two-point showing in his latest outing, Hayes projects to stick on the second line Wednesday. Playing with Derek Stepan and Boston College teammate Chris Kreider is a good role for Hayes, who is flirting with a true breakout campaign. At this cap hit, the potentially difficult matchup is mitigated by upside with new linemates.
Jimmy Hayes, BOS at DET ($14) - If you can't fit his brother under the cap, or you just want to ride two low-priced brothers from Dorchester, Mass., the elder Hayes has landed with new linemates, too. Hayes is project to skate with scorching hot Patrice Bergeron (eight-game point streak) and Brad Marchand (five-game point streak). The move should kickstart the offense for Hayes, who is reeling through an eight-game point drought. Positive regression is ahead.
Wing to Avoid:
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. NSH ($21) - While O'Reilly is two outings removed from a three-game goal streak, those three tallies are his only points through his last 10 games. With Nashville entering as losers of three consecutive tilts, expect a stingy effort from the Predators, which doesn't project favorably for O'Reilly breaking out offensively. Add his plus/minus risk, and you can find a more reliable contributor in his price tier.
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Green, DET vs. BOS ($16) - There was an adjustment period to his new digs, and Green was extremely disappointing to start the campaign. He has a goal and five helpers over his last nine games, though, so the offense is catching up. While Green carries a plus/minus risk, Boston is allowing 2.95 goals per game this season and killing penalties at just a 74.7 percent rate. The floor is much lower here than the others noted, but the ceiling remains high.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at CAR ($18) - With Carolina allowing 3.09 goals per game in their barn, Klefbom projects favorably and should be sparsely owned. He has been inconsistent game-to-game, but the numbers are impressive: three goals and six helpers with a plus-3 rating, 22 shots, 24 blocked shots and an average of 22:49 minutes of ice per night.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Colton Parayko, STL at PIT ($22) - Parayko failed to receive power-play time in his latest game, and since he's returned with Kevin Shattenkirk in the mix, Parayko has just four shots and three blocked shots without an appearance on the scoresheet. During the span, Parayko is also only averaging 18:18 minutes of ice. The cap hit is steep.
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